Politics

[Wheels]

I think Trump, Hegseth and the US Air Force missed a golden opportunity here. After the first wave of planes flew by (B-2 escorted by F-22s), I think they should have had a second wave. Same number of F-22s, flying the same formation, without the B-2. At the right moment, Trump turns to Putin and says, "and there goes our new stealth bomber, what do you think about that Vlad?"

Would have loved to see that happen! I nominate you to the next Trump Putin planning committee.

 

[Brent in Az]

Man I wish I was American, you guys get taco Tuesday every day of the week!

Trump drops ceasefire demand for Ukraine war, tells allies Putin wants land — The Washington Post

Trump’s swerve increases pressure on the Ukrainian leader as he heads to the White House on Monday to make his case.

apple.news

We don't need anymore soft liberals down here.
The Washington Compost is propaganda journalism.

 

[Wheels]

Not been really following the news but saw this and at least to me this means there was some progress made.

Wonder what the over under is on Zelensky wearing a suit this time

 

[Aaron N]

We don't need anymore soft liberals down here.
The Washington Compost is propaganda journalism.

So trump demanded a ceasefire like he had been bloviating about all week?

 

[LivingTheDream]

You cant blame this on Europe.. Your President is anything but consistent in these matters.. 2 weeks ago he threatens Putin with even more heavy sanctions, even at the 3rd part nations that trade russian oil..

Next week he rolls out the red carpet and Russia is back at the stage after being a paria since 2022.

I doubt more sanctions were discussed judging by Putin´s grinning..

Reagan made the USSR implode economically in an arms race...Russias economy is going down the drain so why oh why cant Trump push them harder..?

A ceasefire must be effective before peace agreement talks but nothing is simple, Putin will probably not allow western forces to guard a ceasefire.

With all due respect you missed the point of his post. If Europe can't stomach harder sanctions then to that extent it is Europe's fault and there has to be a pivot, Trump/US need the Europeans on board to really drive Russia down harder. Until they too agree, the sanctions will have a minimal effect hence the continuation of the war as it.

The red carpet was met with a B-2 and a few F-22s which I am almost certain was not the welcoming Putin was thinking.

I still stick to the fact that Trump didn't say much and Putin didn't say much, means there is something in the works.

I also don't want to hear anything about the brilliance of European leaders, some of which have agreed to recognize a Palestinian state, doing so without the release of all hostages.

 

[shootist~]

I also don't want to hear anything about the brilliance of European leaders, some of which have agreed to recognize a Palestinian state, doing so without the release of all hostages.

Amen.

 

[spike.t]

Man I wish I was American, you guys get taco Tuesday every day of the week!

Trump drops ceasefire demand for Ukraine war, tells allies Putin wants land — The Washington Post

Trump’s swerve increases pressure on the Ukrainian leader as he heads to the White House on Monday to make his case.

apple.news

Also

Trump's ceasefire pivot will cause dismay in Kyiv

The US president demanded a ceasefire before he met Putin. His change of mind flies in the face of what Europe and Ukraine want.

www.bbc.com

 

[Pondoro]

With all due respect you missed the point of his post. If Europe can't stomach harder sanctions then to that extent it is Europe's fault and there has to be a pivot, Trump/US need the Europeans on board to really drive Russia down harder. Until they too agree, the sanctions will have a minimal effect hence the continuation of the war as it.

The red carpet was met with a B-2 and a few F-22s which I am almost certain was not the welcoming Putin was thinking.

I still stick to the fact that Trump didn't say much and Putin didn't say much, means there is something in the works.

I also don't want to hear anything about the brilliance of European leaders, some of which have agreed to recognize a Palestinian state, doing so without the release of all hostages.

Trumps need the europeans onboard you say, sure, Trump wants to get Europe onboard when it comes to cost.. He has little interest to contribute moneywise...there will be no Marshall plan from him. He is in this basically to gloat and preferably land the Nobel Peace Price. He cant stomach that Obama got it (though you may ask why O. got it..).

There is consensus in Europe about harder sanctions. Only the PMs in Hungary and Slovenia is against it. They also buy cheap gas from Russia..shameful it is..

All that said, I Iiked the B2/F22 flyby and the fact that Putin had to walk among F22´s..

 

[BlueFlyer]

From here it appear Trump is inept and ineffective at best. Putin pissed on Trumps feet

 

[Altitude sickness]

Putin knows full well Ukraine can not give up the Donbas region. That is defendable land.

Retreating to a new front line or a new DMZ is not ideal topography to defend.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Institute for the Study of War

Kremlin officials are reportedly demanding that Ukraine cede to Russia strategically vital unoccupied territory in Donetsk Oblast and freeze the frontline in other areas as part of a ceasefire agreement. The surrender of the rest of Donetsk Oblast as the

www.understandingwar.org

 

[Red Leg]

Institute for the Study of War

Kremlin officials are reportedly demanding that Ukraine cede to Russia strategically vital unoccupied territory in Donetsk Oblast and freeze the frontline in other areas as part of a ceasefire agreement. The surrender of the rest of Donetsk Oblast as the

www.understandingwar.org

And this is From Fox

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has proposed for Moscow to take full control of the Donbas region and freeze the front lines elsewhere in exchange for ending his nation's war with Ukraine, and President Trump supports the terms, a European diplomat told Fox News.

Donbas, the region along Ukraine's eastern border with Russia, had a pre-war population of around 6.5 million and includes the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. A U.S. official confirmed to Fox News that Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin's offer.

If Trump actually agrees with this, it absolutely sickens me. The Donbas is composed of the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. Russia controls 99% of Luhansk, but only 75% of Donetsk. Ukraine occupies a robust defensive line along defendable terrain in Donetsk. Over the summer, the UA successfully crushed the Russian offensive aimed at that remaining 25%. It is a region which contains much of the mineral wealth Trump was supposedly so eager to jointly share with Ukraine.

This grants Putin victory - particularly if the agreement includes limits on Ukrainian sovereignty. It is a victory which Russia is unable to obtain militarily, and is only possible through the intervention of Trump. There is no other way to put it. Not only does it give Putin what he currently holds but grants him additional territory which he has failed to take. Peace for the sake of simply ending bloodshed is nothing but surrender. Such a victory enabled by his only meaningful potential adversary will simply embolden Putin, while making Trump look like a weak and compliant lacky to I assume everyone but his most sycophantic followers and advisors.

I find the "let Europe handle it" argument particularly reprehensible. Putin has a clear interest and goal to dismantle NATO. After all, the alliance has successfully blunted Soviet and Russian ambitions for 80 years. Russian leadership, thanks to the neo-isolationist wing of the MAGA movement, is now very close to achieving that goal. I admit I missed the late thirties, but I naively believed I never would witness American leadership acting so blatantly at odds to this nation's clear national interests.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Red Leg, as you know.

I think Putin knows Ukraine can not accept that proposal. It’s not reasonable or logical for anyone to expect Ukraine to accept that ridiculous offer.

I think Putin knows Trump wants an end of hostilities no matter what. and Putin knows Trump will then attack Zelenskyy again for not negotiating and accepting the offer.


What Trump should do is immediately put in the third-party sanctions. Then with NATO, arm Ukraine to the teeth. Tell Putin we won’t talk again for six months.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I can’t decide whose shoes I’d rather be in. Zelenskyy or Rubio’s ?

 

[Brent in Az]

Russia has been advancing inch by inch. If Zelinskyy wants to keep fighting for territorial integrity, good on him.
He just needs to know that the U.S is not going to continue funding it. Im sure other countries are getting tired of being Z's ATM as well.

 

[Red Leg]

I can’t decide whose shoes I’d rather be in. Zelenskyy or Rubio’s ?

Your suggestion about Rubio is spot on. He is walking a bit of a political tightrope. His comments on meet the press do indeed reflect the art of negotiation - which if press reports are accurate, is something Trump seems to have willfully set aside.

Meanwhile his blindly ignorant and unquestioning 25% will be cheering him while condemning Zelensky and Europe. We truly have entered a looking glass world. Putin and Lavarov are no doubt pinching themselves over a bottle of vodka as they total up their unearned and unexpected successes.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1957075910433055208

 

[Brent in Az]

From here it appear Trump is inept and ineffective at best. Putin pissed on Trumps feet

That's probably because you watch the same shitty media outlets as the European's and Canadians.

 

[Brent in Az]

I can’t decide whose shoes I’d rather be in. Zelenskyy or Rubio’s ?

I hear Zelinskyy wears pretty small shoes

 

[deewayne2003]

Trumps need the europeans onboard you say, sure, Trump wants to get Europe onboard when it comes to cost.. He has little interest to contribute moneywise...there will be no Marshall plan from him. He is in this basically to gloat and preferably land the Nobel Peace Price. He cant stomach that Obama got it (though you may ask why O. got it..).

There is consensus in Europe about harder sanctions. Only the PMs in Hungary and Slovenia is against it. They also buy cheap gas from Russia..shameful it is..

All that said, I Iiked the B2/F22 flyby and the fact that Putin had to walk among F22´s..

Remember when Trump told Germany relying on Russian energy was a mistake, Germany and all the EU journalist laughed like hyenas.

The EU has been funding Putins war machine for years while at the same time having little to no military preparation or arms for counteracting such an event.

The EU should take responsibility for their own actions but more importantly their lack of action for years on end.

 

[deewayne2003]

From here it appear Trump is inept and ineffective at best. Putin pissed on Trumps feet

lol I’ve traveled extensively on your big island and love the people of OZ; however you speaking of inept and ineffective government is the height of hypocrisy.

Pardon me for not starting my statement with a land acknowledgment and welcome to country ceremony…..